Body basics for Her

Know Your Body, Love Your Body

The better you know your body, the more fun you can have. Most women have let their fingers do the walking but understanding your bits in more detail will help you get a lot more pleasure.

The Mons Pubis

Also known as the pubic mound, this is the area that's covered with hair (or not, as the case may be) and it's often neglected. However cupping the mons not only helps stimulate the clitoris but if you press down gently, helps retract the clitoral hood (female equivalent of a foreskin) to expose the sensitive tip.

The Clitoris

The centre of female sexual pleasure, theclitoris is dense with nerves and responds to the right kind of stimulation by swelling, much as the shaft of the penis. Women vary in terms of clitoral size, shape and sensitivity, so it's best to approach gently to start with.

If a woman lacks clitoral sensation, sliding back the clitoral hood using your tongue or hand, to expose the tip can work wonders. Once it's exposed, go lightly though - an initially less responsive woman can react totally differently once the clitoral tip is stimulated.

The Vagina

Often the main focus of sex, the vagina is a canal that stretches during arousal to accommodate the fingers or penis. Unlike the clitoris, it is not particularly sensitive, though some women find their G-spot gives them pleasure. The cervix, at the top of the vagina, can also be an erogenous zone for some women - but proceed with caution, as not everyone enjoys stimulation up there.

The vagina self-lubricates during arousal, though some women may need additional lubrication, particularly for a large partner or more rigorous sexual activity.

Regular Kegel exercises keep the bits fit.

Muscular tone varies between women but any woman can improve her orgasmic potential by flexing her Kegel muscles, as it increases blood flow to the area as well as muscular strength and control.

There are a number of Kegel exercisers available for women, including 'jiggle balls', weighted cones, pressure-based contraptions and electrical pulse based toners (similar to ab-toning belts) which use a mild (painless) electrical current to make the muscles move of their own accord. If you're in the mood to make a purchase then stick to reliable and recognised brands you can trust.

Alternatively, a woman can do manual Kegel exercising by inserting a finger inside herself then flexing and releasing the muscles down there until she starts to squeeze her finger, then squeezing and holding ten times for a count of ten. Regular Kegel exercises will keep the bits fit.